In Hester's final lines, which symbol is introduced to represent Chillingworth?

In Hester's final lines, which symbol is introduced to represent Chillingworth?

• A. A silver sword
• B. The Black Man
• C. A red rose
• D. A white dove

Answer: (B)

The key idea here is how Hawthorne uses a symbol to reveal Chillingworth’s true nature. In Hester’s final lines, the “Black Man” emerges as the emblem connected to Chillingworth, tapping into Puritan folklore where the Black Man stands for the devil and temptation. This association casts Chillingworth not as a noble physician but as a malignant, almost demonic force driven by vengeance, which fits his relentless pursuit of tormenting Dimmesdale and destroying the peace of others. The Black Man symbol neatly captures that moral corruption and spectral presence more precisely than the other options—A silver sword would suggest brute authority or punishment, a red rose would lean toward beauty or romance, and a white dove would imply peace—none of which align with Chillingworth’s malevolent role.

The key idea here is how Hawthorne uses a symbol to reveal Chillingworth’s true nature. In Hester’s final lines, the “Black Man” emerges as the emblem connected to Chillingworth, tapping into Puritan folklore where the Black Man stands for the devil and temptation. This association casts Chillingworth not as a noble physician but as a malignant, almost demonic force driven by vengeance, which fits his relentless pursuit of tormenting Dimmesdale and destroying the peace of others. The Black Man symbol neatly captures that moral corruption and spectral presence more precisely than the other options—A silver sword would suggest brute authority or punishment, a red rose would lean toward beauty or romance, and a white dove would imply peace—none of which align with Chillingworth’s malevolent role.